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TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. 

"\ I 7ITH your kind permission, your attention I will claim, 

" * I am onlj T just an Indian, it matters not my name, 
But I represent my people, their cause and interest, too ; 
And in their name and honor, I present myself to you. 
They have your sacred promise, your pledge of friendship warm. 
That you would always aid them and protect them from all harm. 
And in my humble efforts, as I briefly st.ite their case, 
Will you pardon my shortcomings, and my errors all erase'.' 

I do not come with grandeur, or boast of any fame, 

Rank in politics, society, or wealth I cannot claim, 

I never went to college, have no title of LL. D., 

As the Great Spirit made me, is all that you may see. 

With the forces that oppose me, T certainly should pause, 

If I were not depending on the justice of my cause. 

I am only just an Indian, who here represents his band ; 

With this simple introduction, I extend to you ray hand. 



A DELAWARE INDIAN LEGEND. 



LONG, long ago, my people say, as their traditions tell, 
They were a happy, powerful race, loved and respected well. 
To them belonged the sacred charge, the synagogue (\) to keep, 
And every Autumn to the trihes, the Manitou's praises speak. 
And all things went with them full well, the Manitou was pleased ; 
The Indian race was numerous then, countless as the trees ; 
The Manitou was kind to them, he filled the woods with game, 
A.nd in the rivers and the seas were fish of every name. 

And to his children did he give the vast and broad domain ; 

Some the mountains and valleys took, while others chose the plain : 

And everything to comfort them did the Manitou provide, 

He gave them fish, game, herbs and maize, and other things beside. 

He gave them rivers, lakes and bays, o'er which canoes did glide, 

Forests dense and mountains high, great plains the other side. 

The men were strong and brave and true, to them belonged the chase. 

The women loving, kind and good, who filled a simpler place. 

And they were taught while here on earth their spirits to prepare, 

To join the Manitou himself, in the happy hunting-ground i '-' i somewhere 

That they must never lie and steal ; must for each other care : 

That principles are gems that pass us to that country there. 

And even though the wars do come with a^ressive tribe or band, 

No warrior shall strike a fallen foe, or wrong a helpless band : 

And if your foe shall sue for peace, let not his plea be vain, 

Produce the pipe, and smoke with him, smothering the wrathful flame. 

And while the smoke ascends above, breathe a prayer together, 
That spirits of departed friends make peace beyond the river ; 
The Manitou's compassion seek, for he was sorely grieved, 
Provide for the widows of the slain, I ') thai their Deeds be relieved, 
[fa stranger enters in your lodge, give him both food and bed, 
E"en if known to be your foe, no harm hangs o'er his bead, 
For now he is your honored guest, your protection he does claim ; 
Whate'er your source of difference be, contt si it oil the plain. 



8 



The voice of the Great Spirit now is heard in every clime, 
The rumblings of the thunder, the whisperings of the pine ; 
The works of the Great Spirit are seen on every hand, 
Flowers, forests, mountains, stars, sun and even man. 
The Lenape ( 4 ) all should gather in the Autumn there to praise 
The wonders of the Manitou, the goodness of his grace ; 
And they to tell the Nations what to them he has unbound, 
And the way for them to reach the happy hunting-ground. 

Once many thousand moons ago, in the synagogue there came 

All the tribes and warriors from the forest, hill and plain ; 

And while they were assembled there ( 5 ) a young man rose to say, 

The Manitou had shown him in a vision on that day 

From afar a huge canoe with pinions spreading wide, 

Coming o'er the waters from across the sunrise side ; 

And in that huge canoe were people strange of dress, 

All were armed as warriors, though they peacefulness professed. 

They told them of their God, " who came and died for men," 
And they were messengers from Him to save them from their sin, 
But first, they said, they must have land, and thus a home prepare, 
Then they would teach them truth, and heaven with them share. 
The young man to the warriors old his vision further told, 
And prophesied that from that day these tempters would grow bold 
That each would have a different creed, to teach a different tribe, 
And when one told another each would think the other lied. 

The young man for his people lamented loud and long ; 
He saw the friendship broken that always had been strong, 
Dissension, war, and trouble, their happiness succeed, 
Tribes rise against each other, their warriors die and bleed. 
At last, their faith all shattered, home, game and country gone, 
Dejected, broken-hearted, he saw them westward roam. 
The Manitou was sorrowful that they should faithless ( u ) be, 
"And now where is the heaven the stranger promised thee?" 

And some of the young warriors did live to see the day, 
When across the sea from sunrise, with pinions flying gay, 
Came great canoes with strangers who soon did boldly land, 
And with a friendly gesture, extended the right hand. 
Forgetful of the warning, they received them all as friends ; 
And made the sacred pledges to share with them their lands. 
The Indians, true and faithful, their promise did fulfill, 
And eager sought the teachings of the white man's God and will. 



9 

And this recalls sweet memories of at least one truthful man ; 

He made and kept a promise in treating for our land ; 

His deeds of loving-kindness strength to their teachings lend, 

And sacred in our memory is the name of William Penn. 

But alas ! for faith and trusting, few others like him came, 

The white man's promised friendship, thenceforth we found was vain. 

While nohle were his tpaehings, his practice was deceit, ( 7 ) 

And thus the friends we trusted, our fondest hopes defeat. 

And now the road is open across the stormy sea, 

The strangers are invaders — our friends no longer he ! 

Our Manitou is angry, their God hears not our cry, 

On the bloody field of battle the noble warriors die. 

Again with peace and presents our friendship would he sought, {") 

Requesting that our vengeance on some other tribe be brought. 

And now for this protection and their proffered friendship-hand, 

The boasted Christian strangers ask to have as much more land. (') 

Now many moons have passed, the Indians are hut few ; 

For comments on the prophecy, I'll leave that all to you. 

Is the white man still deceiving? Is the Indian being robbed? 

Will he yet share his heaven and the teachings of his God '.' 

The Indian was just a savage, but he would not lie and steal, 

The white man's highly civilized, hut his conscience could not feel, 

To rob poor, trusting Indians — well, to him it was no sin, 

And to break a solemn treaty was a very clever thing. 

And when the Indian to the white man makes complaint about his land, 
He is told with solemn gestures, "Seek the Government — not the man." 
" He will be your good, great father and adopt you as his child, 
He knows better what you need, and will protect you all the while." 
But the father was forgetful ("') of his foster children's care, 
So the Indian thus discouraged, finds relief not anywhere. 
Will a Nation for its actions have to piss the judgment bar, 
Or will God excuse the people, if the deeds the Nation's are? 

He now sees the " Good, Great Father," better known as " Uncle Sam," 

Offering home, aid and protection to the poor of foreign lands; 

Sees the foreigners in numbers seek his own beloved shore, 

Where justice, love and liberty reign free forever mure. 

Sees the foreigners in Council, aid in making law- mosl just, 

While he's no voice in legislation and his lands are held in trust. 

Do you know a greater torture, or think his feelings can he guessed 

When he sees such freedom cherished, while his own rights are oppressed ? 



10 

When on the day of judgment, their records there to see, 

As God turns o'er the pages, who will the braver be? 

For one is just a savage, his simple faith applies ; 

The other one, a white man, very highly civilized. 

And should they be together long enough to treat, 

Do you suppose the white man the Indian there would cheat ? 

Or if the chance is given, when the judgment's handed down, 

Would the white man take his heaven or the Indians' Hunting-Ground? 

Do you think that Missionaries need be sent to foreign land, 
To find fields for Christian duties and neglect the savage man? 
In the land of peace and freedom can bondmen still be found ? 
Where every man does loudly boast class-legislation is not known ! 
Should neither one sit on the jury without the aid of ex-parte law, 
Were the records brought from heaven, the court hear what the angels c aw, 
Have you doubts about the judgment? Would the white man pay the cost? 
Or would the heir by birthright learn that there his case was lost? 

In this the Indian's version, can he still be justified, 
Or was it for his poor sake, too, that Christ was crucified ? 
Will Christians stand by idly, nor lend a helping hand, 
And by their silence justify the seizure of his land? 
Or will their God from heaven hear the Indian's plea 
And prompt the Christian people to lend him sympathy, 
And through their earnest efforts, not sympathy alone, 
Redeem the Nation's credit before the Judgment Throne? 



Let the Indian have some duties, treat him as a worthy man, 
Give him voice in the elections, give him title to his land, 
Give him place of trust and honor, let him feel this yet his home, 
Let him use his mind and muscle, let his actions be his own, 
Pay him what is justly due him, let your Government be his, too, 
He will battle with each problem, just as faithfully as you. 
One who proves himself a warrior and of danger knows no fear, 
Surely can find ways to master each new problem that draws near. 



Notic 1. The Delaware Indians on the full moon of each October have 
a religious meeting in a large, long building, which lasts twelve days. Here 
the clans of the Delawares gathet and other Indian tribes arc invited. The 
ceremonies are conducted in the way of a dance around a fire built in the 
centre of the building. At these meetings any 1 nave or chief may tell his 
experience in hunting or warfare, his dreams or impressions, and give his 
own interpretation of the same, ne v er claiming any of the honors himself if 
he lias been successful in any event, hut thanking the Great spirit or Manitou 



11 

for his success. They believe that everyperson lias a guardian spirit whose 

duty is to watch and prompt him in his daily actions, and if the individual 
listens to his guardian spirit he will not meet with any mishap or danger. 

Note 2. The North American Indian, and especially the Algonquins, 
of whom the Delawares were the head, is perhaps the most religious 
being on the face of the earth. While he was warlike and always ready t<> 
assert his rights, he was always tearful of angering the Great Spirit, and 
careful to follow the principles of his traditional teachings, and if it had nol 
been for this sentiment, I do not believe the Indians would ever have allowed 
the white man to secure a foot-hold on this continent. 

Note 3. One of the principles of Indian warfare, when peace was 
made, was to send men from one tribe to the other where the most warriors 
had been slain, who would provide game for their widows, at least for a 
certain length of time. 

Note 4. Some of the Delaware Indians still keep up the old traditionary 
worship, and on their reservation in the Cherokee Nation, on the fork e of 
Caney,may be seen one of their synagogues, where each October they gather 
to praise the Great Spirit as their ancestors had taught. 

Note 5. — I have heard many old men of the Delaware tribe of Indians 
refer to this prophecy. 

Note 6. — Some of the Delawares to this day fully believe that their 
troubles are attributable to the fact of the Indians deserting the form of 
worship their ancestors had taught and taking up the white man's religion. 

Note 7. — I quote from the address delivered by Hon. Herbert Welsh 
before the Society of the Indian Rights Association, April 9, 1892. 

The Indian version of this matter is even more pathetic than this 
account : 

" Zeisberger's Christian Indians communities were the admiration of 
all who visited them. They shone as gleams of sunlight amid the sombre 
forests of Pennsylvania. Indians, wdio, but a short time before bail been 
wild and revengeful men, became, under the preaching and indefatigable 
labors of Zeisberger, peaceableand industrious. They felled the great tries, 
cultivated the soil ; built dwellings and Mission Chapels, and settled into 
peaceful and as they thought, permanent communities. But they were 
from the first regarded with envy and suspicion by the rougher elements in 
the rough and unrestrained colonial population. Ravaging war parties, 
composed of French officers and savage Indians, devastated the frontier 
settlements during the French anil Indian war, and naturally there arose in 
undiscriminating and ignorant minds an intense hatred of all Indians. 
The Moravian Missionaries and their followers were obliged to fly for the 
protection of the British garrison in Philadelphia to find a shelter, which 
was grudgingly and timidly given. But a momentary respite was obtained. 
New York was asked the privilege of an asylum for the .Moravian Indians, 
buttherequest was refused. A year of heart-sick wandering and exile ensued. 
TIir Indians were finally permitted to make the futile attempt of creating 
new homes for themselves in their native regions. When the Btorm of the 
Revolution broke, they were again subjected to the same persecutions as 
before, culminating in the shameful tragedy known as the Massacre of 
Gnadenhutten, where ninety of their men. women and children fell un- 
resisting victims beneath the mallets and scalping knives of American 
Rangers. The Moravian Missions never fairly rallied from this blow. Zeis- 
berger, one of the noblest and must Christian of men did I at Goshen, on the 
shores of the Tascanawas, at a great age. Str<m_ r in the testimony of a 



12 

conscience, but with the harvest of his life's work lying waste about his 
dying eyes, he gazed sadly on the remnant of his Indian followers who 
gathered to bid him farewell. From the standpoint of worldly success, his 
life had been in vain, but not as viewed from the higher standpoint, for he 
had brought hundreds not only to the conception of a noble life, but to such 
living of it as put the behaviour of their enemies to shame." 

I also refer you to the massacre in Ohio at the Jesuit Mission in 17S1 
where more than one hundred Christian Indians were killed and burned, 
mostly women and children, by the American soldiers. 

Note 8. The first treaty the United States ever made was made with 
the Delaware Indians, and the greater portion of the Delawares assisted the 
United States in the Revolutionary war ; also in the Civil war the Delaware 
Indians furnished 170 soldiers out of an adult male population of 218. 

Note 9. Immediately after the close of the Revolutionary war, the 
United States Government marie treaties with other tribes of Indians, and 
secured from them the very lands they had formerly acknowledged to belong 
to the Delawares, and the Delaware Indians received nothing whatever 
for the same. The tract consisted of several million acres, located in Ohio 
and Indiana. 

Note 10. See Manypenny's report of how the Army Officers of Fort 
Leavenworth and other prominent persons assisted the settlers in making 
settlements on Delaware lands in Kansas, and by their actions finally 
discouraged the Delawares so much that they were forced in self-defense to 
sell their lands in Kansas and purchase homes in the Cherokee Nation, 
Indian Territory, a title to which was guaranteed by the United States 
Government. The same treaty also guaranteed them all civil rights and a 
voice in the Government of the Cherokee Nation. Now the Delaware 
Indians are forced to sue the Cherokees for this land at great expense to 
themselves, after they have paid for the lands and improvements more than 
$1,000,000. 



A 



DELAWARE INDIAN 
LEGEND 



AND 



THE STORY OF THEIR TROUBLES 



BY 



RICHARD C. ADAA^S 



REPRESENTING THE DELAWARE INDIANS 



WASHINGTON, D. C 

» 

1899 




44203 



Copyright, 1899, 

by 

RICHARD C. ADAMS 

Washington, D. C. 



TWO COPIES RECEIVED. 




•ECOND COPY, 



5^. VV** • 



■ 



THE TREATY OF THE LENNI LENAPE OR DELAWARE 
INDIANS WITH WILLIAM PENN ON THE BANKS OF 
THE DELAWARE RIVER IN 1682. 

WHEN the time arrived at which William Penn and the Indians had 
agreed to meet personally to confirm the treaty of peace and the 
purchase of the land which his commissioners had bargained for and the 
transaction was to be publicly ratified, Penn came accompanied by his 
friends of both sexes to the place where Philadelphia now stands. On his 
arrival he found the Chiefs and their people all assembled there. They were 
seen as far as the eye could reach, up the river, down the river and in the 
forest far beyond, and looked frightful, both on account of their numbers 
and their arms. The Quakers were but a handful in comparison with the 
Indians and were unarmed, but confidence in the justice of their cause pre- 
vented dismay and terror from seizing them. William Penn appeared in 
his usual clothes and was distinguished only by wearing a sky-blue sash of 
silk net-work around his waist. He had a roll of parchment containing a 
confirmation of the treaty of purchase and amity in his hands. One of the 
Sachems, who was the head Chief of them, put upon his own head a kind 
of chaplet in which appeared a small horn. This as among the primitive 
Nations and according to Scriptural language was an emblem of kingly power, 
and whenever the Chief who had the right to wear it put it on, it was under- 
stood that the place was made sacred and the persons of all present invio- 
lable. Upon putting on this horn the Indians threw down their bows and 
arrows and seated themselves around the Chiefs in the form of a half moon 
upon the ground. The Chief Sachem then announced to William Penn, by 
means of an interpreter, that the Indians were ready to hear him. The 
treaty was ratified with all due solemnity and is known to this day as the 
treaty that never was sworn to and never was broken. 

Chalkley, in his life of William Penn. says: 

"It is much to be regretted when we have accounts of minor treaties 
between William Penn ami the Indians, thai in no history can be found an 
account of this, though so many make mention of it, and although all concur 
in considering it the most glorious in the annals of the world." 



If, 



THE STORY OF THEIR TROUBLES. 

pHE history of the Delaware Indians, perhaps, if given the 
attention of eminent writers, would be one of the most 
interesting, romantic, although pathetic stories, ever related 
by historians. 

For more than three years I haw been entrusted by my 
people with the responsibility of defending their rights and 
protecting their interests ; and in discharging my trust as best 
I could or preparing myself for the duties required thereby, I 
have reviewed the history of many pasl events relating to 
them and their dealings, and not one have I ever found that 
was a discredit to them: neither have I found any cause to 
know why I, myself, should not he proud that 1 am a Dela- 
ware Indian. 

Full justice has never been done the Indian in the 
American histories, and I should like to write one as it should 
be written from the Indian's own point of view, lint while 
my whole heart and sold are devoted to them, I tear I could 
not do them credit in undertaking to relate their story; yet, 
some day, perhaps, I may try it. 

Iii order that you may have a clear understanding of the 
condition of affairs, it will be necessary for me to give you, as 
briefly as possible, a history of the Delaware Indian- from 
their first dealings with the white man down to the presenl 
time. 

The Delaware Indians, or " Lenni Lenape," were once 
one of the most powerful tribes of Indian- on the North 
American continent, the head of the Algonquins, called by 



L9 



\ 



20 

many Indians " Our Grandfather." When first met by the 
white man they claimed and controlled all of the territory 
between the Hudson River and the Potomac. 

Under the spreading elm tree at Shackamaxon, two hun- 
dred and seventeen years ago, they sold to the founder of the 
State of Pennsylvania, William Penn, the vast area within its 
borders for a nominal sum, and largely as an act of friend- 
ship and brotherly love which they entertained for the white 
people at that time and have ever since. 

Sacred to the memory of the white man, as well as to 
that of the Delawares, has been the eventual treaty resulting 
from that transaction. In the rotunda of the Capitol at 
Washington may be seen the historical fresco recalling that 
event. But while the State of Pennsylvania has made 
rapid strides in progress, until now it ranks as one of the 
wealthiest and proudest States in the Union, the Delawares, 
who were so generous in years gone past, and who have always 
proved their loyalty to the United States Government, have 
been forced much against their will and their interest to cross 
the continent, unwilling but always yielding graciously, having 
utmost confidence in the promises that " this move will be the 
last," until now but a handful of them are left, where they 
have purchased homes in the Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory. 
And here, where they were assured by both the Cherokees and 
the United States Government that their rights and interests 
would be protected, they find that their very homes are now 
being covered with applications for mineral leases by both 
Cherokee citizens and citizens of the United States — wealthy 
corporations — who claim the protection of the United States 
Government and denv the rights of the Delaware Indians. 



21 

I appealed to the Indian Rights Association and others for 

their aid and moral support in defending our homes from the 
encroaching greed of grasping syndicates and companies who 
are now seeking to depiive us of one of the most sacred liberties 
mankind can claim — the righl to control our own. 

The Delaware Indians arc more able to take care of their 
property, if given the opportunity of controlling it. thai] mosl 
of the white people who live in our country. 

There are many things your civilized laws and public 
policy say are right that 1 cannot understand, bul the greatest 
puzzle to me is, — Why is the Delaware*' title to their lands 
now disputed and they required by the Government to appeal 
to the courts to obtain that which they bought and paid for 
with the advice, approval and guarantee of the United States 
Government itself ? And even before that question is settled 
by the Courts, that they should be threatened with greater 
complications ! 

It may be because 1 am an Indian that I cannot under- 
stand the justice of this policy. 

The-' 1 faith my people have shown: the prompl aid 

and assistance they have rendered the United States< rovernment 
in the past as allies in the Revolutionary War : assoldiers and 
scouts in the Mexican and civil wars: as guides for General 
Fremonl across the Rocky Mountains ; as peacemaker between 
other Indian tribes and the Federal Government, and the 
protection afforded bythem to colonists in early days, of them- 
selves are enough to entitle them to more la ml in bounties and 

grants, fifty times over, than the land now in question, which 
they boughl and paid tor. 



22 

The Cherokees now claim that the Delawares have no 
distinct rights in the Cherokee Nation. The Delawares claim 
the right to select one hundred and fifty-seven thousand six 
hundred acres of land for which they paid $157,600, and in 
addition to this an equal right with every native-born Cherokee 
in all the remaining lands and funds of the Cherokee Nation, 
for which they paid an additional sum of $121,824.28. 

The history of this transaction is better understood by 
referring to the data that led up to it and the events that took 
place about that time, than by reading the contract or agree- 
ment itself. 

You will see by referring to a letter on file in the Office 
of Indian Affairs, dated September 1st, I860, and signed by 
D. N. Cooley, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, that the 
Delawares were offered lands in the Indian country, in the 
Seminole Nation at 15 cents per acre ; in the Creek Nation at 
30 cents per acre ; or lands in the Quapaw Nation, the price 
to be determined when selections were made. 

The Delawares were instructed, through their Agent, by 
letter dated October 13th, 186(3, signed by John G. Pratt, to 
select a delegation and to " proceed South and select for your 
tribe a new reservation in that country." Accordingly the 
Delaware ( Joune.il authorized ( laptain John Connor, head chief, 
Captain Sarcoxie, Charles Journeycake, Joseph Armstrong, 
Andrew Millerand Isaac Journeycake to proceed to the Indian 
country and select a new reservation. 

( )n December 9th, L866, the Delaware delegates, in 
company with the delegates on behalf of the Cherokee Nation, 
agreed upon and did select, " that part of the country on 
Little Verdigris or Caney, beginning at the Kansas line, 



W 



o 




2.-, 

where the 96th meridian crosses the same, and running thence 
east ten miles; thence south thirty miles; thence west ten 
miles; thence north to the place of beginning," the Delawares 
specifically declaring in the notice to the Cherokee Council 
that they preserve their tribal organization. 

This selection was made in accordance with the instruc- 
tions of the United States Government through the Commis- 
sioner of Indian Affairs, and the Delaware Indian Agent, and 
in accordance with the Act of the Delaware Council, and also 
the resolution of the Cherokee Council, of November 7th, L866, 
which reads as follows : 

"Resolved by the National Council, that the Principal Chief, Assistant 
Principal Chief, and three others, be appointed by the Principal Chief as 
Commissioners to enter into an agreement with the Delaware Deletion in 
reference to allowing the Delawares to select a reservation from our lands 
lying east or west of the 96th degree of longitude, according to the provis- 
ions of the treaty of July 19th, 1866. 

H. D. Reese, James Vann, 

Clerk. President National Council. 

Concurred, 
R. B. Ross, John Young, 

Clerk Council. Speaker Council. 

Approved. 

Wm. P. Ross." 

(Seepage 84, laws of the Cherokee Nation, L839-1867.) 

On April 8th, 1867, the Delaware-Cherokee Agreement was 

made and approved by the President of the United States, and 

in 1868, most of the Delawares moved to the Cherokee Nation 

and settled on the lands selected on Little Verdigris or I 'aney 
I liver, believing, as has been proved to my satisfaction by 
sworn statements of old Delawares, parties to the Agreement, 
and the Delaware Indian Agent. John G. Pratt, that this land 
was to be theirs and in no way was to be molested or inter- 
fered with by the Cherokee Indians ; but after they had settle^ 



20 

there, they were constantly annoyed by the Osages who also 
claimed the land, and a great many half-breed Cherokees, who 
would make raids amongst them. So, after being harassed on 
every side, they became greatly dissatisfied and all moved in 
a body to the Quapaw country, on Neosho River, expecting to 
get the Government to make an exchange of lands for them. 

Superintendent Enoch Hoagand the Indian Agent finally 
persuaded them to return, telling them that they were not 
confined to the area of their previous selection, but were 
privileged to make their selection in any part of the Cherokee 
Nation where they could find good and suitable land. 

Articles 4 and 5 of the Delaware treaty of July 4th, 1866, 

should also be taken into consideration, and also that part of 

Article 4 which says : 

"The said tract of the country shall beset off with clearly and per- 
manently marked boundaries by the United States, and also surveyed as 
Public lauds are surveyed, when the Delaware Council shall so request, when 
the same may be in whole or in part allotted by said Council to each member 
of said tribe residing in said country." 

Both the Delawares and Cherokees fully understood at 

the time of the Delaware-( lierokee Agreement, that the 157, •'><><) 

acres of land was Delaware land, and in no part a portion 

of the Cherokee Nation or the Cherokee public domains. The 

Cherokee delegates, J. L. Adair and D. \Y. Bushyhead, in a 

communication addressed to the Senate Committee on Indian 

Affairs, on June 19th, 1800, said : 

" As has been seen, the Delawares purchased one hundred and fifty- 
seven thousand six hundred acres of Cherokee lands, lying east of the 96th 
degree west longitude. That was an absolute and unconditional purchase, in 
which lands the Cherokee Nation has no title or interest." 

(See Senate Bills -I'.Vll, 4005, .",1st Congress.) 

When the Delaware-Cherokee Agreement was made, the 

Delawares paid $157, 600 for the right to select 157,600 acres 

of land. 



27 

They also bought for valuable consideration full citizenship 
in the Cherokee Nation, which would give them additional 
lands and an interest in their funds. A ratio was ascertained 
to determine what the Delaware- should pay for this right, so 
a census of both tribes was taken ; the assets of the Cherokees 
were fixed, and it was found that the ratio wasone to thirteen 
and seventy-eight one-hundredths, and on this basis the Dela- 
wares paid an additional sum of $121,824.28. 

The Cherokees claim the right, under the L5th article of 
the treaty of L866, to sell to friendly Indians a separate and 
distinct tract of land east of the 96th meridian, or to sell tosuch 
Indians a communal or per capita interest in the lands and 
funds of the < Iherokee Nation, or, in other words, a citizenship 
carrying with it all property rights. The Shawnees were 
admitted under the latter arrangement and for their citizenship 
paid $150,000. The Delaware- sought to secure both 
rights (at the time having plenty of money), and the money 
was paid and received with such understanding. 

In 1890 the Chief of the Cherokee Nation, J. B. Mayes, 

and the Cherokee delegates addressed a communication to the 

Committee on Indian Affairs, asking that the United States 

Government pay out per capita to the Delawares the trusl 

funds, almost a million dollars, belonging to them, and giving 

as a reason for this request that the Delawares might he 

enabled to make permanent improvements upon their homes 

in the Cherokee Nation. This money was paid out to the 

Delawares per capita, and they have used the same to make 

o-ood and substantial homes which arc equal to any of those 1 

have seen in the Eastern Slates. They have more than one 

hundred thousand acres of land in cultivation, although 



28 

numbering less than one thousand souls. Their land is under- 
laid with valuable mineral deposits, such as lubricating oil, 
gas, coal, etc. This seems to be their misfortune since they 
are Indians. They have no money left in the hands of the 
Government, and, if deprived of their rights in the Cherokee 
Nation, they are paupers. If they win in their contention, 
they are rich. The Cherokees are rich ; they have a large 
fund in the hands of the Government, made larger by 
the money contributed to it by us. We have an interest in 
this fund, but have no means of ob'aining any portion of it 
to defend our rights. So. thus disarmed, having by purchase 
and improvements expended over one million dollars in lands 
within the Cherokee Nation under the guaranteed protection 
of the United States Government, as well as that of the Cher- 
okees — are we thus to be left at their mercy ? 

Since the Delaware-Cherokee Agreement was made the 
Cherokees have unlawfully admitted over 10,000 persons to 
all the rights of citizenship and without compensation to the 
Delawares, thereby reducing their interests in the communal 
property, and disturbing the ratio on which the respective 
rights of the Delawares and Cherokees were fixed. The 
authorities of the Cherokee Nation, consisting principally of 
the admitted class and intermarried white men, have done 
everything they could to embarrass the Delawares. 

They have questioned the rights of the Delawares in 
sharing the communal property of the Cherokee Nation, and 
• •ven denied the rights of the heirs of the deceased Delawares 
to the L57,600 acres of land that the Delawares purchased in 
L867. This necessarily caused the Delawares to send repre- 
sentatives to Washington to protect their interests before the 



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31 

Congress of the United States and the Department of the 
Interior, or any other tribunal having authority in the 
premises. 

Myself ami John Bullette were appointed representatives 

and made Attorneys in Fact. Through our efforts the 25th 
section of the Curtis Bill became a law. which provides that 
suit may be brought in the Court of Claims and the Supreme 
Court to determine and enforce the rights of the Delawares in 

the land- and funds of the Cherokee Nation, and provides: 

"That before any allotment shall be made of lands in the Ch< rokee 
Nation, there shall be segregated therefrom, by the Commission heretofore 
mentioned, in separate allotments or otherwise, the one hundred and fifty- 
seven thousand six hundred acres of land purchased by the Delaware tribe 
of Indians from the Cherokee Nation, under Agreement of April Sth, eighteen 
hundred and sixty-seven. 

This, however, has not been done, although it has been 
demanded by us. 

On August 4th, 1898, we brought suit in the Court of 
Claims, as provided by the Act of Congress referred to above, 
and have since been busily engaged in securing data, evidence 
and proofs necessary to sustain our contention. 

They (the Cherokees) have not yet paid as the full amount 
of the money due tis from the sale of the Outlet, which the 
highest courts of the land determined was ours (see Journey- 
cake Case, 28 C. Cls., \l., 281 ; L55 C. S. K.. L97), claiming 
that they did not have enough money to pay us in full. But 
they found enough money to appropriate nearly half a million 
dollars more than was required to pay the Freedmerj of the 
Cherokee Nation, and in order that they might justify them- 
selves in paying this money out, since they were to divide the 
greater part as attorney fees, the same authorities consented 



32 

to and did place on the Freedmen roll more than one thousand 
negroes who, everyone knew, were not entitled to be placed on 
the roll. 

A history of this shameful deal may he had by referring 
to Senate Document 101, 55th Congress, 3rd Session. 

This is a fair sample of the way the combination that 
has control of Cherokee affairs regards right and justice. 

The same may be said in regard to the recent Agreement 
entered into with the Dawes Commission and the Commission 
on behalf of the Cherokee Nation, January 14th, 1890, in 
which it may be seen, by referring to section 6 of said Agree- 
ment, that the same authorities were willing to give to all the 
inter-married white persons and such other persons who were 
admitted without right or authority and without compensation 
to the Cherokee Nation, and even the negroes referred to above, 
an interest in all the lands and funds of the Cherokee Nation, 
equal to that due the legitimate owners, but expressly declared 
that nothing should be given to the Delaware's, and section 87 
of said Agreement seemed to annul the Curtis Act governing 
the segregation of the Delaware lands and even abrogating 
the entire Delaware-Cherokee Agreement itself. Said section 
87 reads as follows : 

" This agreement shall in nowise affect the provisions of existing 
treaties between the Cherokee Nation and the United States, except so far 
as it is inconsistent therewith, and no provisions of any Act of Congress now 
existing inconsistent with the Agreement shall be operative in the Cherokee 
Nation." 

This Agreement, however, was not signed by the full- 
blood members of the Cherokee Nation, who have been our 
friends, neither was it ratified by Congress, and I have been 



informed that the prbpositioD was a surprise to the Dawes 
Commission, but it was the best they could get. Hon. Henry 
L. Dawes, in his letter transmitting the Agreement, said : 

" The Commission are aware of many imperfections in this Agreement. 

They have never been able to make one free from them." 

And the Downing party of the Cherokee Nation, in order 
i" g( t the votes of that class of people whose rights to a division 
in the lands and funds should be questioned, did endorse this 

Agreement and made it a part of their platform, and by offering 
an indirect bribe of an interest in the lands and funds for 
votes did secure the election of their Chief and get control of 
both branches of the Cherokee National Council, and will, of 
course, attempt to further embarrass the Delaware Indians. 

The same Act of Congress provides for the leasing of lands 
in the Indian Territory, for the purpose of developing oil, coal, 
asphalt and other mineral-, ieavingthe matter optional and at 
the discretion of the Secretary of the Interior to grant or reject 
any or all applications that may be made for the same. 

Before the Act of Congress referred to above certain 
Cherokees and inter-married white men, relatives of the con- 
stituted authorities of the Cherokee Nation, did secure what 
they term mineral leases from the said authorities, covering 
the homes and improvements of the Delaware Indians They 
did sub-lease the same to certain citizens of the United States 
who claim to have expended twenty-odd thousand dollars in 
putting down eighteen oil wells, and for this reason they 
claimed a preferred right to least' from the Secretary of the 
Interior over one hundred and eighty thousand acres of land, 
covering most of the homes of the Delaware Indians, without 
resped to their rights and without their consent. 



34 

One of the provisions of the leases is : 

" Provided, That the domain or tract, or any part thereof above described, 
is not within or does not infringe upon the improvements or legal bounda- 
ries of any other citizen." 

Notwithstanding the feet that we have invested over one 
million dollars in these identical lands and improvements 
thereon, these same people claimed in their petition to the 
Secretary of the Interior that there were no adverse claimants 
to this land ; and held that the expenditure of about twenty 
thousand dollars, if they were forced to lose it, would work a 
great hardship to them. They forget that they were tres- 
passers on our land, and in justice should be compelled to pay 
us damages. They forget our rights and the hardship that 
might be imposed on us. 

It might be noted, however, that no applications were 
filed for leases covering that portion of the Cherokee Nation 
where- no Delawares were located. 

The question as to the rights of the Delawares is now in 
the Court of Claims. If their contention is sustained that these 
lands are Delaware lands and not subject to the laws and con- 
stitution of the Cherokee Nation, the Cherokees have no right 
whatever to make these leases. But even if the Delaware 
lands were subject to the laws and constitution of the Cherokee 
Nation, there is a provision in the Delaware-Cherokee Agree- 
ment which says : " Nor shall the continued ownership and 
occupancy of said land by any Delaware so registered, be 
interfered with in any manner whatever without his consent," 
and the provision referred to above in the mineral lease would 
prevent them from interfering with the Delawares' rights. 

The Delawares have just eause for alarm. If the pending 
leases are executed by the Secretary of the Interior, without 



o 




37 

-awaiting the decision of the Court of* Claims as to the rights 
of the Delaware's therein, that tribe will find its interests and 
remedies at law seriously embarrassed. The Supreme Court 
■of the State of Oregon, in Mosgrove vs. Harper, May term, 
1898, held that after the Secretary of the Interior had approved 
a lease of Indian lands he could not cancel the same, stating : 

"That is a matter which helongs to the Judicial and not the Executive 
Department of the Government. The right of the lessee, when denied 
to re-enter and take possession of the leased premises under and by virtue 
of the several provisions of the lease, can only be tried out in a court of 
law, and not by some Executive Department of the Government." 

The Assistant Attorney-General for the Interior Depart- 
ment, in his opinion dated June 12th, 1899, regarding certain 
leases covering Ponca Indian lands, Oklahoma Territory, in 
which it was shown that fraud existed in the procurement of the 
same, and upon which payment of royalties have since been 
accepted by the Interior Department, says : 

" It is impossible to avoid the c inclusion that with full knowledge of the 
fraud practised in their procurement, these leases have been affirmed and 
the lessee permitted to proceed on that theory to such an extent that to 
cancel or rescind the leases at this time because of that fraud would not 
comport with the principles of reciprocal justice." 

In one of my protests to the Secretary, I said : 

"The various companies have employed prominent attorneys and many 
of the parties interested hold high and honorable positions both in political 
and social circles. Their cause has been well represented ami they are in 
position to represent it well, while I, the representative of Hie Delaware 
Indians, have none of these advantages; yet I feel that I have the beet 
right to claim your attention and your careful consideration of the truth of 
t lie allegations I have set forth. In conclusion, I would ask that all liases 
be declared void and that no leases be granted in the Cherokee Nation, at 
least until the Delaware lands have been segregated by the Dawes Commis- 
sion as instructed by the 25th Section of the Act of Congress, known as the 
Curtis Bill." 

On July 17th, 1899, Bon. Thomas Ryan, Acting Secretary 
of the Interior, in his letter of instructions to the United States 



38 

Indian Inspector for the Indian Territory, rejected the applica- 
tions of the various companies who made applications for the 
leases covering the lands of the Delaware Indians, but leaves 
the impression that they may still obtain leases if they could 
prove that there were no adverse claimants to the land and 
made applications as prescribed by the instructions of the 
Secretary of the Interior, May 22nd. 1899. 

A great many prominent and influential gentlemen, 
whose attention was called to the condition of affairs which 
confronted the Delawares, kindly responded and protested in 
our behalf. Among them were Hon. R. F. Pettigrew, Chairman 
of the Committee on Indian Affairs in the Senate ; Hon. James 
S. Sherman, Chairman of the Committee on Indian Affairs in 
the House of Representatives ; Hon. Charles Curtis, Member 
of the Committee on Indian Affairs of the House of Represen- 
tatives ; Hon. Matthew S. Quay, United States Senator ; Rev. 
T. J. Morgan, Ex-Commissioner of Indian Affairs ; Hon. 
Darwin R. James, Chairman of the Board of Indian Commis- 
sioners; S. M. Brosius, Esq., Agent of the Indian Rights 
Association, Washington, D. C, and a great many others. 

We are now trying to secure our last little homes in the 
Indian Territory and protect them from the grasping greed of 
heartless syndicates and corporations. We have defended our 
interests as best we could ; we greatly need the assistance of 
the Christian influence of this great Nation, and we shall be 
grateful for the help that we believe you will render us. 

With every sentiment of respect, I am your obedient 
servant, 

Richard C. Adams, 
Representing the Delaware Indians. 




Delaware Baptist Church. 



LETTERS AND AGREEMENT. 

THE following are copies of some letters written by officials 
of the Government, which may be found on file in the 
Office of the Commissioner of Indian Affair?, Washington, 
D. C. They will assist the reader in forming some idea of the 
manner in which the Delawares have been dealt with : 

Piqtja, Mar. SO, 1821. 
Sir: 

On the loth inst., I received from his Excellency, Gov. Cas3, a letter of 
which an extract will be found above. 

The Delaware Nation as joint owners with the Miamies occupied the 
country watered by the White River in the State of Indiana. It might be 
estimated safely at the time of ihe treaty of St. Mary'sof Oct., 1818, in extent 
at 100 miles by 70. There is no tract of the same magnitude to which the 
Indian title has been extinguished within the last 20 years of greater value, 
the soil is good, is well watered and the climate fine. The permanent seat 
of Government for the State of Indiana has been lately fixed in the centre 
of the White River tract. This country must greatly enrich the public 
treasury. It was with the utmost difficulty that the Delawares could be 
induced to relinquish their claim for it. They were pressed repeatedly and 
for years on the subject. The negotiations were finally undertaken at the 
earnest solicitations of the Governor and Legislature of Indiana, expressed 
to the President, and never was any undertaking of the kind more difficult 
to accomplish. The joint ownership of the Miamies greatly aided to our 
embarrassments on the occasion, in proportion to the difficulties that pre- 
sented themselves so were we liable in our promises. The communications 
made by myself to your excellency by the Chief Anderson, would convey 
some idea of what the Delawares had a right to expect, They have reason 
to expect that a country should be immediately provided for them wesl of 
the Mississippi and that they were to be protected in the peaceable enjoy- 
ment of that country. This country was to he designated by a certain 
prominent geographical boundary, It was not understood how large it 
should be but'as the chief design of their removal was to live as hunters, 
and to get out of the immediate neighbourhood of the whites, they bad a 
right to expect a country sufficiently large for the purposes of hunting. 1 
would suppose in any event it would not be less than the one which they 
left. It was not apprehended that land far interior with you was of mud, 
consequence and the understanding with the Delaware Chiefs was that their 

41 



42 

station should be as remote as their safety from the other trihes would alluw. 
Previous to their removal last year, the contents of a letter from the Secre- 
tary of War, Jan. 6, 1820, together with a copy of yours to him of the 
preceding November, was communicated to the Chiefs (copies are enclosed). 
I recommended also, to them to prefer the hilly country on account that 
they would not so soon be interrupted by the approaches of the whites ; I 
recommended also, that they shotild select their future home as far from 
the whites as their own safety would permit. 

The Delawares were promised reasonable supplies of corn, salt and 
ammunition for the first year after their arrival in your country. The one- 
half of the tribe yet remain here and will move some time in the coming 
summer. This Nation was always a leading one among the Indians of this 
country. They are significantly distinguished on all public occasions as 
Grand Fathers. Should their settlement with you be in all respects agree- 
able to their feelings, it may have a decided influence in drawing all our 
Indians westward. It is now equally their interest as well as ours that they 
should leave this country. There is no tribe of the natives on this conti- 
nent whose case affords so many causes to excite the best sympathies of our 
nat u re. 

They are the descendants of the primitive inhabitants of the lower coun- 
ties of Pennsylvania, of the State of Delaware and the adjacent parts of New 
Jersey. There are persons of this tribe with you, and they are not a few, 
that were born and ra ; sed within sixty miles of Philadelphia. In contending 
with the whites for what they considered their just rights, they have been 
reduced to a mere handful. Every consideration of justice, of humanity 
and sound policy requires that they should be treated with liberality. 

My feelings as an individual are largely interested for them, having been 
their Agent for a considerable part of my life, there is not an individual 
that is not personally known to me. I pray your Excellency to have special 
care taken of them, to supply their immediate and most pressing wants and 
to have them permanently fixed agreeably to their wishes. 

The number of Delawares yet to go from this country is not much short 
of one thousand souls. You may expect them in the course of this year. 

I have the honor to remain, 
With great respect, 
His Excellency, Your obt. servant, 

William Clark, John Johnston. 

St. Louis. 

Note: While it is evident from this letter that the 
Delawares surrendered in Indiana 4,480,000 acres of land, they 
received as a reservation less than 1,000,000 acres of land in 
Kansas, and as an Outlet estimated at one million acres. This 



43 

outlet, however, broughl the Delaware Indians only $10,000, 
which was paid to five chiefs for certain reasons and the Del- 
aware people received no part of it. 

I " i • i ■ i : i ; Piqi \. 

Ocdtlur ::, 1821. 
Sir: 

I have now to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 23rd August, 
covering an extinct from Mr. Graham's letter to you of the 27th July last. 
I had at different periods communicated to Governor ('assail the information 
that was necessary in relation to the Delawares. It is presumed thai Mr. 
Graham has not had a view of any of my communications. Until recently 
I was of the opinion that Governor (Mark still had the superintendence of 
Indian Affairs west of the Mississippi. 

A personal annuity for life was solemnly guaranteed by the Commis- 
sioner of the United States and myself at the Treaty of St. Mary's to 
Anderson and Lapanihlie, the two principal chiefs of the Delaware Nation, 
that is to say $360 to the former and §140 to the latter. ( )n this part of the 
negotiation the personal safety of the Chiefs required the utmost secrecy. 
1 presume there is no record of the stipulation on the journals of the 
Commissioners. The Government is pledged for the regular payment of 
these two annuities ; each of the Chiefs hold a paper written and signed by 
myself to this purport. Anderson is now about sixty years old and 
Lapanihlie fifty. The great difficulties which occurred in purchasing the 
country of the Delawares made us liberal in promises. 

The Government and citizens of Indiana took such a deep interest in 
the event that a purchase must have been made. It fell to my lot to 
arrange all the details of the treaty with the Delawares. I have since had 
reason to regret that many of my engagements were not written more in 
detail in that instrument. My embarrassments in moving those people for 
the want of funds has been extremely great. I am now in debt as the 
Agent of the Government to sundry individuals on account of sundry 
claims which the Nation had against us, to the amount of S2,41 r>.(>7. 

I intended to have submitted this business to you through Governor 
Cass sometime before the meeting of Congress, to the end that provision 
might be made to relieve me, but as your letter has brought the case ..l the 
Delawares into view, I submit it now with a request that if it is within the 
means of the Department I may be furnished with money to pay it. I have 
regular vouchers for the whole amount. 

By the treaty of Fort Wayne of 180.'), the Delawares and other tribes 
who were parties to it, were to receive annually forever one hundred and 
fifty bushels of salt. In apportioning this quantity among the whole, I 
assigned to the Delawares thirty bushels yearly. 30 bushels of salt and the 
transportation would amount at that time to $100. The salt was not 



44 

furnished regularly until it was quite evident it never would be furnished 
regularly and as the Nation were leaving me forever, I thought it best to allow 
them money in lieu of it. This would put an end to all difficulties there- 
after and would not prejudice the Government. I respectfully recommend 
that the arrangement made with the Chiefs be approved. 

There is nothing due the Delawares for arrears of salt. The articles 
which I furnished them previous to their departure was in full discharge of 
all claims prior to their leaving us. They have lost horses on their journey 
westward, which they claim compensation for, and which if stolen by the 
whites they should be paid for. 

The following is a list of debts due on account of moving the Delawares 
in 1820 and 1821. The amount has no connection with the current expenses 
of my agency. 
To the house of Neave & Brother, of Cincinnati, for powder, lead, 

tobacco and Hints $532.68 

To Connor & Marshall of Indiana, for provisions and ammunition 

and for extra services for interpreting 993. 

To Neave & Bro. of Cincinnati for sundry articles of merchandize 
to make satisfaction for a murder committed on a Delaware 

Indian by a citizen of the U. S $151.10 

To Benj.imin Brandon of Piqua, Ohio, for flour, beef and salt . . $523. 75 
For carriage of goods from Cincinnati to Wapaghkonetta . . . . 48.43 
To Benjamin S. Cox, of Piqua, Ohio, for 4 saddles and 4 saddles . $76. 00 
To William Johnston, of Piqua, Ohio, for sundry articles of mer- 
chandize $94.65 

To Nicholas Greenham of Piqua for sundry articles of merchan- 
dize $53.95 

To Francis Duchoquet, expenses to White river express .... $6.00 

To Snively for 1 rifle to the Chief, the Buck $20. 00 

To John Johnston for flour and meat $114.20 

$2, 415. 67 
On account of the number of poor Delawares who last moved, I was 
under the necessity of procuring for them forty horses at thirty dollars 
each. A paper enclosed will more fully explain the transaction. 

The $1,200 is to be remitted here in the spring and deducted from the 
annuity of 1822. I have only further to remark in relation to the Delawares 
that sound policy as well as humanity requires that they should be treated 
with the utmost liberality in the country to which they have gone, if their new 
situation should prove agreeable to them, they will be the means of drawing 
all the Indians in this country after them. It is now unquestionably the 
interest of all to move, for they cannot be civilized on what is called Res- 
ervations, that is small portions of land surrounded by a numerous white 
population. 

I am informed that measures will be taken to induce the Government 
to organize a principal and independent agency at Sandusky for the 



45 

Wyandottes. Such a measure would be totally unnecessary. The small 
number of Indians in that quarter (and they are constantly diminishing) does 

not require any such establishment. Mr. Shaw a- Sub-Agenl at Upper 
Sandusky tor the Wyandottes and Mr. Montgomery sub-agenl for the 
Seneeas below. The Department as at present organized is fully adequate 
to all the reasonable and just wants of the Indians. At the payment of the 
annuities in .Inly last, at Upper Sandusky, I received the thanks of the 
Chiefs of both Nations for the satisfactory manner in which their business 
was conducted. I should be ashamed to have less to do than at present. 

I know not whether I am entitled to receive the laws of the United 
States. I have formerly applied for them at the War Department, as well 
as the Department of State. They were not sent. In discharging the duties 
of my office, I am frequently in great need of the laws. The volume which 
contains the substance of all the statutes having reference to the public 
lands would assist me much in my official duties. 

I have the honor to remain, 
With great respect, 

Sir, your obt. servant, 
The Honorable J. C. Calhoun, John Johnston, 

Secretary of War, Indian Agent. 

Washington. 



(Delaware C, 1486.) 

Delaware Agency, 

.Inn, 16, 1865. 
Sir: 

Since the ejection of intruders from the Delaware Trust hinds by 
military force, is no longer to be looked for; by request of the Chiefs and 
principal men of that tribe, I would most respectfully call the attention of 
the Department at Washington to the importance of a separate survey and 
sale of the lands. The late act of Congress of the .">rd of March intended to 
enable the President to carry out in good faith the recent treaties of the 
Ottoes, Missouris, etc. Instead of checking intrusion on these " trust lands," 
as was confidently expected, seems to be regarded by many as a license to 
enter upon them. The slip from a Kansas paper, herewith enclosed, 
exhibits the extraordinary and unprincipled spirit actuating the unprin- 
cipled portion of the squatter emigration. The difficulty of a faithful exe- 
cution of the treaty will but increase with time. A long, uninterrupted pos- 
session giveseven the trespasser a color of right, and quiet peaceable citizens 
are inclined to respect such rights. A large emigration is daily flowing into 
the country, seizing upon the best lands ami most desirable situations, 
uniting with and giving strength and power to unlawful combinations. Iii 
a word, should the sale be long delayed, I do not believe these lands will 



46 

bring at auction one-half of their value. I have thus briefly called up this 
unpleasant subject, from a sincere desire that justice may be done those 
of all others the most helpless and inoffensive people. 

Very respectfully, 

Your obt. servant, 

B. F. Robixson, 
Col. A. dimming, Indian Agent. 

Supt. Indian Affairs. 

Enclosure. 

Squatters' Meeting. 

At a meeting of the squatters, on Saturday, March 10, in Leavenworth, 
after much discussion upon two reports of a committee, the following was 
adopted. 

Whereas, It has now become apparent that pre-emption will be assured 
to the settlers upon the land ceded to the U. S. by the Delaware Indians, 
therefore be it — 

1. Resolved, That on and after the first day of May next, we will take the 
pre-emption law as our sole guide and rule of action in relation to claims in 
the Delaware District and our Squatter Courts are hereby instructed to act 
accordingly. 

2. That where the existing laws and regulations of this Association 
shall clash or differ with the Pre-emption Law, they are so far declared to 
be void and of no effect. 

3. That we tender our grateful acknowledgement to Hon. J. "Whitfield 
and other distinguished friends, both in and out of Congress, for their able 
and indefatigable exertions in our behalf, which has greatly strengthened 
our cause and shown our just claims for consideration at the hands of the 
Government. 

4. That the proceedings of this meeting be published in the Kansas 
Herald, Squatters' Sovereign, and Kansas Pioneer, and such Missouri 
journals as feel friendly to the squatters' cause. 

R. R. Reese, Chairman. 



(Delaware T, 413.) 

Ei.woon, Kan., Marcli 22, 1$G%. 
Hon. Lyman Trumbull, 
Dear Sir : 

I wish some information about the Delaware Indians. I will just state 
that our Senators, Lane and Pomeroy, in speeches and otherwise, urged the 
settlement of those lands and as a c msequence about 2,000 people are upon 
those lands, many of them refugees from oppression in Missouri, desiring 
to make homes for their families in the truly loyal State of Kansas. 

Now we have recently heard that they will be driven from there to 
make room for an imaginary railroad company, who, I believe, will not come 
up to their agreement with the Government. 



47 

They have advertised to sell said lands and take one-third of the pur- 
chase money, when if a man comes with rive dollars, they will take it and 
make out his papers for $-50, $100, or $200, and yet all they can. 

They also have Agents in all the towns around to sell laud and if they 
cannot sell lands, sell the timber off the laada for firewood, rail and saw 
timber, at a small price. I will send you one of their notices. The timber 
is being cut at a dreadful rate now. 

Sir, if they bad the lands "bona fide," would they thus wilfully destroy 
the timber? I have recently passed through the reserve and the timber 
near Lawrence and Oskaloosa is very much destroyed already, 

I hope, sir, you will call the attention of the President to these facts and 
let me know all about it by letter. 

I dislike troubling our Senators at this time, but it is an important 
matter to at least 2,000 as good and loyal people as there are to be found. 

And endorsing your course as a statesman for many years, I have taken 
the liberty to time your time and patience. 

Please write at your earliest convenience and give me all the informa- 
tion you can. 

Please send us occasionally some public documents. 
Very respectfully, 

Your friend, 

P. C. Ferguson. 
Hon. W. P. Dole, 

Commissioner Indian Affairs, 
Dear Sir : 
Allow me to call your attention to within. 

L. Trumbull, 



{Book No. 70, page 516.) 

Department of the Interior, 

Office of Indian Affairs, 

Washington, D. C, May ?9, U 
F. Johnson, Esq , 

U. S. Agent, 
Quindaro, Kansas. 
Sir: 

Your letter of the 24th ultimo, enclosing the request of the Delaware 
Chiefs for permission to apply $800 of their funds to the purpose of defray- 
ing the expenses (if a delegation to the Rocky Mountain- to seled a new 
location for the Delaware Nation, has been received. Official information 
received here from every portion of the country mentioned, fully satisfies 
me that there is no locality in all that region that is not subject to very 
grave objections, for the contemplated purpose. Throughout the whole of 
Utah, the lands with scarcely any exception can only be cultivated by 
irrigation and a very huge portion are simply barren waste. To the North 



48 

and Northeast the country is wild, rocky and mountainous, inhabited 
mainly by wild tribes of Indians, with whom no treaties for the extinguish- 
ment of titles have been negotiated and who are much addicted to hostili- 
ties as well amongst themselves as towards white emigration passing through 
the country. I feel well assured that a movement of the Delawares to any 
portion of that country could not result advantageously and would probably 
prove disastrous. For these reasons, I feel constrained to withhold my 
assent to the request of the Chiefs. I am not adverse, but on the contrary 
greatly desire a removd of the Delawares from Kansas, provided they can find 
a location in the Indian country that can be obtained as a permanent home. 
All the acccounts concur in representing this country as one of the most 
desirable in all our borders and the best suited to the peculiar wants of the 
Indians. Its climate is delightful, its soil is fertile and its geographical 
position is such that its occupation by lawless whites can be more easily 
prevented than any other portion of the country with which I am acquainted. 
By common consent this country seems to be recognized as the Indian 
country and I have strong hopes that it will eventually prove for them a 
happy and prosperous home. To render it so, no effort on my part will be 
wanting. You are directed to submit this letter to the Chiefs and should 
they so desire, are authorized to grant them permission to appropriate so 
much of their funds as is in your judgment actually necessary to defray the 
expenses of a delegation to the Indian country for the purpose of examining 
the same and ascertaining what arrangements can be made with a view to 
securing a permanent home for those of the Delawares who may desire to 
emigrate. 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

William P. Dole, 

Commissioner. 



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DELAWARE-CHEROKEE AGREEMENT. 

Articles of Agreement 
JV/IADI-: this 8th day of April, A. I>. 1867, between the 
*» *• Cherokee Nation, represented by William P. Ross, 
Principal Chief, Riley Keys, and Jesse Bushyhead, delegates, 

duly authorized, parties of the first part, and the Delaware 
tribe of Indians, represented by John Connor, Principal Chief, 
Charles Journeycake, Assistant Chief, [saac Journeycake, ami 
John Sarcoxie, delegates for ami on behalf of said Delaware 
tribe, duly authorized, witnesseth : 

Whereas. By the 15th article of a certain treaty between 
the United States and the Cherokee Nation ratified Augusl 
11th, 1866, certain terms were provided, under which friendly 
Indians might be settled upon unoccupied lands in the 
Cherokee county, east of the line of 96th degree ofwesl longi- 
tude, the price to be paid tor such lands to be agreed on by 
the Indian- to be thus located and the ( Iherokee Nation, subject 
to the approval of the President of the United Slate- ; and 
whereas, by a treaty between the United State- and the Dela- 
ware tribe of Indians ratified Augusl 10th, L866, the removal 
of the said Delawares to the Indian country south of Kansas 
was provided for, and in the 1th article whereof an agreemenl 

was made by the United States to sell to the Delaware- a tract 

of land. 1m 'in- pari of a traet a cession of which by theCherokei - 
to the United States was then contemplated ; anil whereas, no 
such cession of land was made by the Cherokees to the I aited 
States, but in lieu thereof, termswere providedas hereinbefore 
mentioned, under which friendly Indians might he settled 

51 



52 

upon their lands ; and whereas, a full and free conference has 
been held between the representatives of the Cherokees and 
the Dela wares, in view of the treaties herein referred to, 

First 

looking to a location of the Delawares upon the Cherokee lands, 

second 
and their consolidation with said Cherokee Nation : Now there- 
fore, it is agreed between the parties hereto, subject to the 
approval of the President of the United States, as follows ; 

The Cherokees, parties of the first part, for and in con- 
sideration of certain payments and the fulfillment of certain 
conditions, hereinafter mentioned, agree to sell to the Dela- 
wares, a quantity of land east of the line of the 96th degree 
west longitude, in the aggregate equal to 160 acres of land for 
each individual of the Delaware tribe who has been enrolled 
upon a certain register made February 18th, 1867, by the Del- 
aware Agent, and on file in the Office of Indian Affairs, being 
the list of the Delawares who elect to remove to the " Indian 
country " to which list may be added, only with the consent of 
the Delaware Council the names of such other Delawares as 
may within one month after the signing of this agreement, 
desire to be added thereto ; and the selection of the lands to 
be purchased by the Delawares may be made by said Dela- 
wares in any part of the Cherokee reservation east of said line 
of 96 degrees, not already selected and in possession of other 
parties; and in case the Cherokee lands shall hereafter be 
allotted among the members of said Nation, it is agreed that 
the aggregate amount of land herein provided for the Dela- 
ware-, to include their improvements according to the legal 
sub-divisions, when surveys are made (that is to say, 160 acres 
for each individual), shall be guaranteed to each Delaware 
incorporated by these articles into the Cherokee Nation ; nor 



shall the continued ownership and occupancy of said land by 
any Delaware so registered be interfered with in any manner 
whatever'without his consent, hut -hall 1m- subject t<> the same 
conditions an<l restrictions as are by the laws of the Cherokee 

Nation imposed upon the native citizens thereof: Provided 
That nothing herein shall confer the right to alienate, convey 
or dispose of any such lands, except in accordance with the 
constitution and laws of said Cherokee Nation. 

And the said Delawares. parties of the second part, agree 
that there shall be paid to the said Cherokee-, from the Dela- 
ware funds now held or hereafter received by the United States, 
a sum of money equal to one dollar per acre, for the whole 
amount of 160 acres of land, for every individual Delaware 
who has already been registered upon the aforesaid list, made 
February 18th, 1867, with the additions thereto heretofore 
provided for. And the Secretary of the Interior is authorized 
and requested to sell any United States stocks belonging to 
the Delawares, to procure funds necessary to pay for said 
lands ; hut in case he shall not feel authorized, under existing 
treaties, to sell such bonds belonging to the Delawares. it is 
agreed that he may transfer such U. S. bonds to the Cheroki e 
Nation, at their market value at the date of such transfer. 
And the said Delawares further agree that there shall he 

paid from their funds, now or hereafter to come into pos 

sion of the United States, a sum of money which shall sustain 
the same proportion to the existing Cherokee National Fund 
that the number of Delawares registered as above mentioned, 
and removing to the Indian country, sustains to the whole 
number of Cherokees residing in the Cherokee Nation; and 
for the purpose of ascertaining such relative numbers, the 



54 

registers of the Delawares herein referred to, with such addi- 
tions as may be made within one month from the signing of 
this agreement, shall be the basis of calculation as to the 
Delawares, and an accurate Census of the Cherokees residing 
in the Cherokee Nation shall be taken under the laws of the 
Nation within four months, and properly certified copies 
thereof filed in the Office of Indian Affairs, which shall be 
the basis of calculation as to the Cherokees. And that there 
may be no doubt hereafter as to the amount to be contributed 
to the Cherokee National Fund by the Delawares, it is hereby 
-agreed by the parties hereto that the whole amount of the 
invested funds of the Cherokees, after deducting all just claims 
thereon, is $678,000. And the Delawares further agree that 
in calculating the total amount of said National Fund there 
shall be .added to the said, sum of. $078,000 the suim of 
$1,000,000, being the estimated value of the Cherokee neutral 
lands in Kansas, thus making the whole Cherokee National 
Fund $1,678,000 ; and this last mentioned sum shall be taken 
as the basis for calculating the amount which the Delawares 
are to pay into the common fund ; Provided, That as the $678,- 
000 of funds now on hand belonging to the Cherokees is 
diiefly composed of stocks of different values, the Secretary of 
the Interior may transfer from the Delawares to the Cherokees 
a proper proportion of the stocks now owned by the Dela- 
wares, of like grade and value, which transfer shall be in part 
of the pro rata contribution herein provided for by the Dela- 
wares to the funds of the Cherokee Nation; but the balance 
of the pro rata contribution by the Delawares to said funds 
shall he in cash or (J. S. bonds at their market value. All 
cash and nil proceeds of stocks, whenever the same may fall 



due or be sold, received by the < 'herokees from the Delawares 
under this agreement, shall be invested and applied in accord- 
ance with the 23rd article of the treaty with the Cherokees 
of August 11th, 186& 

On the fulfillment by the Delawares of the foregoing stipu- 
lations, all the members of the tribe registered as above pro- 
vided shall become members of the Cherokee Nation, with the 
same rights and immunities and the same participation (and 
no other) in the National Funds as Native Cherokees, save as 
hereinbefore provided. 

And the children hereafter born of such Delawares so 

incorporated into the Cherokee Nation, shall in all respects be 

regarded as Native Cherokees. 

Wm. P. Ivoss, Principal Chief; 

Riley Keys, 

Cherokee Delegation. 

his 

John X Conner, Principal Chief; 

mark 

Charles Journeycake, 
Isaac Journeycake, 

hi* 

John X Sarcoxie, 

mark 

Delaivare Dchyntion. 

Executed and delivered in our presence by the above 
named delegates of the Cherokee and Delaware Nations, at 
the city of Washington, in the district of Columbia, the day 
and year first above written. 

John G. Pratt. 
Wm. A. Phillips. 
Edward S. Menager. 
Department of the [nterior, 

April 11. 1867. 



56 

The within agreement between the Cherokee and Delaware 
tribes of Indians, concluded on the 8th hist., and providing for 
uniting the two tribes as contemplated by the Cherokee treaty 
of July 19, 18G6, is respectfully submitted to the President, 
with the recommendation that it be approved. 

(). H. Browning, 

Secretary. 
Approved April 11, 1867. 

Andrew Johnson. 

Ratified by the National Committee, June 15, 1867. 
H. I). Reese, Smith Christie, 

Clerk Nat. Committee. President Nat. Committee. 

Concurred in. 
S. Foreman, John Young, 

Clerk of Council. Speaker of Council. 



Resolution in Furtherance of the Treaty with the 

Delawar.es. 

Resolved, by the National Council, That the Principal 
Chief be and he is hereby authorized to appoint some suitable 
person to transcribe the Cherokee Census rolls, and forward 
copies of them to the Secretary of the Interior at as early a 
date as it can be done. Also, to call on the Secretary of the 
Interior for a copy of the Delaware census roll. 

Tahlequah, C. N., June 17, 1867. 

Approved. Wm. P. Ross, 

Principal Chief. 

(The italicized lines and notes are placed in the above 
copy to call the attention of the reader to particular features 
of the Agreement ; they are not found in the original. Perhaps 
if this Agreement had been drawn up by lawyers of the present 

day, it would not have been such an ambiguous document,) 



REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN 
AFFAIRS, 1869. 

Pages 484 and is:,. 
" r I THE sale of bonds, indicated in the preceding table, which 
*■ were previously held in (rust, for the Delaware general 
fund, was effected by a transfer upon the trust-fund hook- of 
the Department on the l.'ith of May, L869, to the credil of the 
Cherokee funds, in accordance with the wishes of the Dela- 
ware Indians, an agreement having been previously made 
(April 8, 1867) between the Cherokee and Delaware Indians, 
based upon prior treaties, by which the Cherokees agreed to 
sell to the said Delaware Indians a portion of their land east 
of a line of ninety-six degrees of w r est longitude at the rate .if 
one dollar per acre, upon condition that the said Delaware 
Indians, in addition to the amount necessary to pay for said 
land, transfer to the credit of the different Cherokee funds a 
pro rata share of their trust funds, and become a part of the 
Cherokee Nation. 

It was found by calculation that 985 Delaware Indians 
would require, at L60 acres each, 157,600 acres, amounting at 

one dollar per acre to $157,600.00 

The proportion of the number of Delawares to 
that of the Cherokees was found to be as 1 to 
L3.78, and on this basis the amount of stocks 
which it was found necessary to transfer to the 
< !herokees, as pro rata funds from those belong- 
ing lo the Delawares, was 121,824.28 

Total amount acquired to coyer paymenl for 
157,600 acres of land and pro rata funds trans- 
ferred $279,424.28 

59 



60 

The funds transferred were as follows : 
Amount of non-paying bonds of 
several Southern States as shown in 
the above statement, transferred at 

par, as per agreement $32,000.00 

Amount of paying stocks of State 

of Missouri 2,000.00 

$34,000.00 
$230,716.10 in United States bonds issued to 
Union Pacific Railway Company, eastern divi- 
sion, transferred at market rates (106f.) 245,424.28 

$279,424.28 



CONCLUSION. 

TF the kind reader into whose hands this booklel may 
* chance to fall should become sufficiently interested in the 
matters relating to the Delaware Indians to render them moral 
support and assistance in any manner, such assistance will be 
greatly appreciated by both the Delaware people and your 
humble servant, 

In distributing, with my compliments, a limited number 
of these booklets, I have undertaken the task from my own 
personal resources, and owing to my want of funds have qoI 
been able to make the distribution very large ; but should you, 
or your friends, wish other copies of it, upon receipl "I' a 
remittance 1 will cheerfully furnish them. 

The Delaware Indians, having no fund at their disposal, 
have been able to promise me so far only a contingent tee. and 
for three years, at my own personal expense, I have championed 
their cause and the cost of doing this has been many thousand 
dollars. 

While I have undertaken to attend to matters personally 
before the Executive Departments of the Government, it is very 
necessary to have able attorneys represent us before the Judi- 
ciary and this has been one of the great expenses of this cause. 

We were fortunate, however, in securing as attorney of 
record before the Court of Claims the assistance of Hon. Walter 
S. Logan, President of the New York State Bar Association, 
and as Associate Counsel, Marx E. Harby, of the firm of 
Logan, Demond A: Harby, No. 27 William Street, New York. 

63 



64 

The purpose of distributing these booklets is to better 
inform the public as to the justice of our cause. Few men will 
do another knowingly a willful wrong and there are but few 
men who will not be good Samaritans if they but have the 
opportunity. 

With every sentiment of respect, 

I am, sincerely yours, 
Richard C. Adams, 
Representing the Delaware Indians, 

Washington, D. C. 



ADDENDA. 

AND now you've read their story and their Legend, too, 
You see by these traditions that they were friends to you. 
You see the needs and troubles of this persecuted baud, 
Who always have stood by you, and helped you to a man. 
< rreater proof of friendship than this could never be, 
When the quarrel was not his, he gave his blood for thee ! 
And now he asks your friendship, but not at such a cost, 
He's asking your assistance, before his home is lost. 

He fears not the judgment when lie gets to Court, 

His rights are rirmly anchored as any ship in port, 

But there are pirates in the Harbor! Fierce marauders lurking near 

And the mischief they are planning is the danger he may fear. 

They are seeking to deprive us of the product of our land. 

They care not who may own it, if they but perfect their plan. 

In this bloodless battle, can we now expect your aid '.' 

Give us for the blood we've spilt, your moral help instead. 

R. C. A. 




Walter 8. Logan, 
Attorney of Record for Delaware Indians. 




Marx E. Harby, 
Associate Counsel. 



THE LEGEND OF THE "YAH QUA WHEE" OR 
MASTODON. 

LONG AGO, in time almost forgotten, when the [ndians and 
the Great Spirit knew each other Letter, when the Great 
Spirit would appear and talk with the wise men of the Nation, 
and they would counsel with the people; when every warrior 
understood the art of nature, and the Great Spirit was pleased 
with his children; long before the white man came, and the 
Indians turned their ear to the white man's God ; when every 
warrior believed that bravery, truth, honesty and charity were 
the virtues necessary to take him to the happy hunting- 
grounds; when the Indians were obedient and the Greal 
Spirit was interested in their welfare, there were mighty beasts 
that roamed the forests and plains. 

The Yah Qua Whee or mastodon that was placed here 
for the benefit of the Indians was intended as a beast of burden, 
and to make itself generally useful to the [ndians. This 
beast rebelled. It was fierce, powerful and invincible, its -kin 
being so strong and hard that the sharp'esl spears and arrows 
could scarcely penetrate it. It made war against all other 
animals that dwelt in the woods and on the plains which the 
Great Spirit had created to be used as meat for his children— 
the Indians. 

A final battle was fought and all the beasts of the plains 
and forests array. id themselves against the mastodon. The 
In. bans were also to take part in this decisive battle if neces- 
sary, as the Great Spirit had t-.ld them they musl annihilate 

the mastodon. 

71 



The great bear was there and was wounded in the battle. 

The battle took place in the Ohio A'alley, west of the 
Alleghanies. The Great Spirit descended and sat on a rock 
on the top of the Alleghanies to watch the tide of battle. 
Great numbers of the mastodons came, and still greater numbers 
of the other animals. 

The slaughter was terrific. The mastodons were being 
victorious until at last the valleys ran in blood. The battle- 
field became a great mire, and many of the mastodons, by 
their weight, sank in the mire and were drowned. 

The Great Spirit became angry at the mastodon, and from 
the top of the mountain hurled bolts of lightning at their 
sides until he killed them all except one large bull, who 
cast aside the bolts of lightning with his tusks and defied 
everything, killing many of the other animals in his rage, 
until at last he was wounded. Then he bounded across the 
Ohio river, over the Mississippi, swam the Great Lakes, and 
went to the far north where he lives to this day. 

Traces of that battle may yet be seen. The marshes and 
mires are still there, and in them the bones of the mastodon 
still are found as well as the bones of many other animals. 

There was a terrible loss of the animals that were made 
for food for the Indians, in that battle, and the Indians 
grieved much to see it, so the Great Spirit caused, in remem- 
brance of that day, the cranberry to come and grow in the 
marshes to be used as food, its coat always bathed in blood, 
in remembrance of that awful battle. 



Note. The foregoing is one of the many Delaware Indian legends. I 
have never seen it in print, and thinking it may be of some interest to the 
mythological student, I relate it here. R. C. A. 



TO THE DELAWARE INDIANS. 



1 HAVE travelled o'er the country thai <>n<v was our domain, 
Seen the rivers and the mountains, the broad and fertile plain, 
Where the Indian chased the buffalo, the antelope and deer, 

When the smoke from Indian wigwams arose from far and near ; 
Seen the lovely Susquehanna, where our council fire would burn, 
And all the tribes and warriors would gather there to learn 
The wise teachings of our chieftains and their traditions old, 

And to tell it to their children as to tin m it had been told. 



I see, from time immemorial, by stories handed down, 
We had exclusive title to our homes and hunting-ground, 
But then there came some pilgrims from a far and distant shore. 
As they said " with Christian motives," our country to explore ; 
For us, " a poor heathen nation," their hearts were truly sad ; 
And to save us from "the infernal powers'' they'd be very glad. 
But to provide the daily bread of those who laid the plan, 
Well, of course, we'd be expected to give them plenty of land. 

But for that we should not care, they would lead us on to light, 
And " in heaven we'll be rewarded " they say. for doing right, 
For there the Bible teaches, " our treasures we should store ; " 
" If our rights are there established, we need for nothing more." 
" And Christians will gladly show us the path the pilgrims trod. 
That leads unto eternal joy in paradise with I rod." 
So we gave close attention to their actions one by one, 
And this, as we have found it, is part thai they have done. 

They took with pious gratitude the land that was our own, 

They killed the buffalo and deer and drove as from our h e ' 

Some of our people plead with them, our country ton-tain. 
While others did contest our rights with arms, but all in vain. 
With sorrow, grief and suffering, we were forced al last to go, 
From the graves of our forefathers to a land we did nol know. 
But this was now guaranteed to us, " as long as water shali run," 

Yi ' on they pushed rJS, on and on toward the setting SUI1 ! 



2 

" And this will be the last move," they tell us, if we go ; 
" You will hold the country this time as long as grass shall grow, 
" For the good,Great Father's promise is a very sacred pledge, 
" And to all his children does he give the greatest privilege ; " 
That is to all children he adopts from every race of man, 
Except the rightful owners of this broad and bounteous land ! 
They must in meek submission bow unto the hand of might, 
To them the courts of law are barred, they can make no legal light! 

If the Indian seeks the Government, there his grievance to relate, 
He must first obtain permission from those who rule the State ! 
If his rights are there denied him and an attorney he would seek, 
He is sternly then reminded he has no right to speak ! 
" For under section so and so, which guides your legal move, 
" You see no attorneys can appear for you, except if we approve ; 
" And if, in oar opinion, your cl aim does not adhere 
" To the interests of the public, then your cause we cannot hear." 

" This is a Christian Nation," they oft with pride maintain, 
And even on their money their faith they do proclaim. 
And none can hold an office here in this Christian land, 
Unless he believes in Heaven and the future state of man ; 
In every town are churches, God's word is everywhere, 
E'en legislation, good or bad, begins each day with prayer, 

'• This is the home of freedom, where justice rules the land ! 

" And all (save Indian people) their rights may here demand ! " 

The foreigner from Europe's shore or the ignorant African 
Has the right to sit in Congress' halls and legislation plan ! 
Turning the treaty records o'er, in the first that comes to view, 
I see this gracious Government guaranteed these rights to you, 
And why you're treated as children, or ruled with an iron hand, 
Nor allowed to be politically free, is more than I understand, 
Unless it be " in Heaven you are to find your treasures dear," 
And your pious Christian teachers are to take "their treasures " here. 

But I do not blame the Christians, if Christians true they be, 

And it's not their Bible teachings that bring such grief to thee ; 

It is not the faith that men believe, it is the deeds they do, 

That sometimes hurt their fellowmen and probe their conscience, too. 

If "we are all children of one God," are we not equal here ? 

Are not the Indian's liberties and rights, to Him as dear? 

1 f we an earnest effort make, our rights here to obtain, 

Then, perhaps with His assistance, that privilege we shall gain. 



I believe the American people are just and kind and true, 
They would fight for our protection, if our grievance they but knew. 
True, some with selfish motives would keep us still suppressed, 
But the great controlling public would strive to do what is best. 
And none has their attention called to our sad, humiliated state, 
Or quickly would they all demand that Congress reparation make. 
So the fault with us has partly been, because we don't complain, 
But allow ourselves thus to be robbed for selfish plotters' gain '. 

Why should we be a separate people, the target of every man ? 
We, who owned this country once, should be right in the van. 
No one would objections raise and surely Congress can 
Declare all Indians vested with the rights of every man. 
And grant us prompt permission to prove o:ir every claim, 
And pay us the obligations the Government has made in vain ; 
Then to our oppressors will we prove, who deny our right to live, 
That Indians will make good citizens, if to them a chance you give. 

lA^sriAsijK (sP ?ty~7&A^rtJ 



Representing the Delaware I 



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